Do you have a ton of basil growing in your garden and you don't know what to do with it? Read on to find out how to make your own delicious homemade basil oil. A drizzle of basil oil is a simple way to add a hint of herbaceous flavor to any dish!
Who doesn’t love fresh basil in the summer? It brightens up any dish and fills your home with an intoxicating aroma. When I was growing herbs in my indoor herb garden, my basil plants quickly outgrew all of the other herbs and I was also faced with the happy dilemma of how to use it all up.
You can try adding fresh basil leaves to your salads or pasta dishes to brighten them up. Or you can make a classic pesto, which uses up a lot of basil and can be frozen for future use.
If you’re looking for something a little different, you can make a batch of basil oil. Herb-infused oils are a great way to add flavor and flair to a wide variety of dishes and they’re easy to make at home.
How to use herb oils
Herb oils like basil oil are perfect when you want to add a hint of herbaceous flavor to a dish without overpowering it. Here are some ways to use them:
- Use to dress up salads and fresh vegetables by drizzling them on top
- Top grilled chicken or fish with it
- Use it as a lovely garnish on soups
- Stir it into mashed potatoes or potato salad for color and flavor
- Drizzle it on crostini topped with burrata
The possibilities are endless!
How to make basil oil
The technique for making basil oil is straightforward- you just need a couple of ingredients, a blender and a strainer (optional).
- First, blanch the basil in boiling water and then shock it in cold water to stop the cooking and lock in the vibrant color.
- Next, puree it all in a blender and strain it through a sieve, if desired. For a more rustic look, you can leave it unstrained.
Once you know the technique, you can use it to make a wide variety of herb-infused oils. You can even add extra flavor by adding garlic or chili flakes. Check out the recipe card below for my full basil oil recipe. Enjoy!
More Recipes With Fresh Basil
Recipe
Basil Oil
Ingredients
- 2 ounces fresh basil leaves (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup grapeseed, canola or other neutral flavored oil
- Kosher salt
Instructions
- First, blanch the basil. To do this, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, have a large bowl full of ice water ready. Submerge the basil leaves in the boiling water for about 10-15 seconds until they’re just wilted.
- Remove them and plunge them into the bowl of ice water.
- Drain the leaves and pat them dry with paper towels to remove as much water as possible. Place the basil in a blender along with the oil. Blend on high speed until it is pureed.
- At this point, you can use the basil oil as is. Or if desired, you can strain it through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. If straining, push gently on the solids to extract all of the oil. Season the oil with salt to taste. The basil oil can be refrigerated for 1-2 weeks.
Dixya says
i never thought of herb infused oil. I have a mini patio with basil growing will have to try this one out soon.
ur says
Great idea to save the excess basil as oil, especially if you can freeze it in small containers. I buy a bunch of basil and never know how to save it.
Thanks for the idea.
Triple Glazed Wood Windows says
Wow you clearly describe how to make basil oil.
Marlys @thisandthat says
This sounds great.. I am going to do it with my basil I have growing. Pinned it. Also going to freeze some for later use.. Thanks for sharing this idea. Will also make great gift.
unoynot says
Looks fascinating. Thank's for the instructions. Can the oil be frozen in ice cube trays and transferred to bags for that wonderful basil flavor when the snow flies?
sonaliruder says
Thanks! Yes, you can definitely freeze the basil oil in individual portions using ice cube trays. It's a great way to get that fresh basil flavor for months to come!